what qualifies as an auto knife?

To me, an auto is a knife that opens by releasing the locking mechanism and no pressure on the blade from the user.
 
In general, it's what's also known as a switchblade. Blade is forcefully opened by a spring under tension, which itself is released by pressing a button/lever or other release on/in the handle.

Although, legally, it just comes down to how it's defined by the laws where you live or use/carry such a knife.

I'm thinking you'll probably get more accurate/informative answers here, in the 'Knife Laws' sub-forum:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=735
 
I think of an auto as any knife that can be opened by a button or lever on the handle.

It doesn't really matter what any of our opinions of an auto is. Look up your local and state laws, they usually make it clear enough to decipher.

Edit: Obsessed beat me too it.
 
Any knife that is opened using a spring and usually activated by a push button (Protech Godfather), sliding button (Benchmade Infidel), in-handle activation (Lone Wolf D2), etc.
 
any knife that the police does not want you to carry. check your laws and then make sure you have a copy of them in you car/truck to back you up.
 
richard thurman said:
any knife that the police does not want you to carry. check your laws and then make sure you have a copy of them in you car/truck to back you up.
Click to expand...

Funny...but what if your state allows an auto? Seriously, an auto is typically a spring operated knife that uses a buttom/lever of some type to open it W/O touching the blade or part of the blade (Thumb-stud/disc/hole &/or flipper).
 
You still have to be careful in your switchblade selection, as it's generally unlawful for switchblades to cross state lines.

What's a switchblade? Federal law says:

The term “switchblade knife” means any knife having a blade which opens automatically—
(1) by hand pressure applied to a button or other device in the handle of the knife, or
(2) by operation of inertia, gravity, or both.
Click to expand...

That seems to be a reasonable definition, although the second part could use some clarification.
 
my state florida had a big deal about switchblades. the govener passed a bill/law that made them legal. I carry that bill around me because the police still try to start with you because they dont like that law. alot of people dont know about it so at the gun and knife shows i carry it just in case.
 
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